There comes a point where I have to stop and realize that even with my best efforts, I’m not getting everything done by myself. Yes, I can point the finger at myself and show you how I could have done better, but that isn’t helping me get caught up in my laundry and reading the Bible sweetly to my children, all listening attentively on the couch with hair combed and teeth brushed each morning.
It’s hard sometimes to have the humility to say “I need help,” isn’t it? And I can sit and read my Bible, blog about reading the Bible, or think about reading the Bible, but if I need physical help– a nap, a helping hand, someone who will ask me if I read my Bible today, then I should not refuse it just because I have this idea that I should be mature enough to live without the nap or helping hand.
This week, I’ve got a teenager coming over to watch my children while I get some things accomplished. I’m not supermom, and I use cans that go pop (although I really do like to make “real” bread, too). A friend from church had the humility to ask publicly for prayer that she’d do better reading her Bible, and I discovered that praying for her has helped me, too. She’s praying that I’ll have the love to actually call her this week (something that I struggle with, even if it’s somebody I love).
Here is the challenge: Find someone in the local body of Christ you are a part of, and find a way to minister. And if you need help, ask God for the grace to humbly ask for help. Bear one another’s burdens this week.
Good reminders, Michelle!
I also had this thought last night (about needing help). Help is good and necessary for all. I’m looking foward to my help tonight!
This is a great reminder. Thanks for admiting that you are not supermom. I feel as though I have to be sometimes. What do you do when there really isn’t anyone you can ask for help? I would just love to have a clean house for more than a few hours, but clients (I work from home) and children seem to make it impossible!
Thanks, Addy and Monica!
Nicole– I’d open your church directory for ideas, since it’s the local body that is the biblical center of edification and Christian growth. I’ll explain my strategy, although in your case it might not apply. It’s possible that you have to be transparent enough to explain why you need help (in my case, it’s partly because I have young children, partly because I was making a costume for Lee last week, partly because I got behind awhile back, and– the hardest to admit– partly because I have wasted a good amount of time reading or being on the computer). God’s not interested in merely my house being clean; he wants to conform me to his image. So I feel like if I’m going to ask the body of Christ for help, I have to be willing to submit myself to some scrutiny and accountability. Everyone’s situation is different, and not every reason for asking for help has to include a confession! A round of sickness is sometimes enough to set a well-ordered household out of orbit into disarray, and a lack of sleep seems always enough in itself to make you feel like you’re losing sanity. Some women might be too committed, but that’s not my problem at all.
I have an elderly lady that comes over once a week. She listens to David read and helps me iron. I thought I was being a good Christian and ministering to her, but I discovered that she’s been a blessing to me. And she doesn’t tsk tsk when I have dishes in the sink (actually, she never remembers from week to week what my house looks like!). Pre teen girls are good, too, because they’re too young to babysit when you’re gone, but they’re quite capable of playing with little ones (and they often play with children better than the seventeen year old teenager who might normally babysit for you). I’m paying the teenager who is coming over today and Wednesday, but I don’t do this very often.
In the past, I’ve traded help with a friend who also has young children: I’ll come over and watch your kids one morning if you’ll come over and watch my kids the next. It’s really hard to be lazy when someone is over helping like this.
Of course, I’m just relating how God is working in my own life. I’m not sure how he’s working in yours. I do know that the older ladies at church always caution me about being too worried about the house and keeping it clean, at least while the kids are small. It’s a good balance, I think.
Thanks for these thoughts Michelle. I have found I am too proud to ask for help. I have always had a strong will (ie stubborn). God has laid me on my back several times where I was forced to accept help from others and allow them to be the parts of the body God created them to be. There’s nothing more ridiculous and absurd than an elbow trying to be a big toe, left ear, right kidney, and achilles tendon, with a couple taste buds thrown in for good measure! KWIM?